The Burden and Factors Associated With Smokeless Tobacco Use Among Adults in Nikki, Benin

This study aimed to determine the prevalence and factors associated with consumption of smokeless tobacco (SLT) at Nikki, northern Benin.

This was a cross-sectional interview study carried out from November 2023 to September 2024 among adults aged≥18 years, after a process of two-stage random sampling.

Overall, 688 participants were interviewed. Their mean age was 32.2 ± 13.3 years with a male-female ratio of 4.5:1. The prevalence of current SLT use (defined as currently consumption or consumption in the last 12 months) was 26.9% (95% CI = 23.7-30.3) while that of daily use was 15.1% (95% CI = 12.6-18.0). Factors associated with SLT consumption were age ≥30 years (aPR = 3.7; P < 0.001), male gender (aPR = 10.8; P < 0.001), not attending school (aPR = 4.1; P = 0.035), alcohol consumption (aPR = 4.0; P < 0.001), lack of awareness of the harm caused by SLT (aPR = 2.2; P < 0.001), a impression of SLT being less harmful compared with smoking tobacco (aPR = 5.2; P < 0.001), peer pressure and influence (aPR = 2.9; P = 0.001) and exposure to marketing (aPR = 3.5; P < 0.001). The possible association of SLT with harmful health risks was known by 399 (58%) participants.

The prevalence of SLT use was high among adults in Nikki, northern Benin. Raising awareness and regulating the sale of SLT products would help to mitigate this scourge; and further qualitative research are needed to determine the socio-cultural determinants of SLT consumption.